Although there is no confirmed time period for reconstruction, the Hays courthouse and law enforcement center will undergo remodeling due to bids that have been received.
The four bids were all in the $5.5 million range.
The bids include remodeling of the law enforcement center, construction of a three-story building connecting the law enforcement center to the courthouse and the renovation of the courthouse.
“We received four bids from Lloyd Builders, Law Company, Paul Wertenberger, and MW Builders,” said Greg Sund, county administrator.
“The plan at this point is to award the bids on September second and start the law enforcement center part of the project on October first,” Sund said.
Transformations will start at the law enforcement center where they will incorporate a two-story addition to the north side, a new sally port. The area where officers bring arrestees will be included on the first floor accompanied by a remodeled booking area, Sherriff’s reception/lobby and Hays police offices.
The entire second floor will be remodeled for new jail housing and support space.
“The goals of this project were to increase the capacity of the jail, provide an enlarged and safer booking area for inmates, to provide a secure connection between the jail and courthouse, and to renovate and upgrade the courthouse facility,” said Andrew Pitts, Treanor architect.
Between the courthouse and the jail will be a three-story addition providing a security link between the second floor jail and the courtrooms in the courthouse.
“Two new jury rooms will be included in the addition along with a video visitation area for persons to visit those housed in the jail facility,” Pitts said.
Due to parking limitations during the construction process, court, law enforcement and jail operations will be moved during construction. After the completion of the project, there will be less parking on the north side of the law enforcement center.
“We will be relocating the Administer, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds and the Information Technology office in December of this year to 718 Main,” Sund said.
“With the relocation of county offices into a new facility, the courthouse will be remodeled to better meet the needs of the courts, county clerk, county attorney’s office, and court services/probation offices,” Pitts said.
A new secure public entry will be located on the south side of the facility, along with upgrades to the electrical and plumbing systems.
There is no confirmed time period for construction yet, but it is planned to last between 325 and 420 days.
Information on the funding will be provided when it becomes available.